"Horns on the Horizon: A New Mexico Pronghorn Story"
As a hunter who spends a great deal of time enjoying our public lands in the American West, I am very aware that Americans are not the first hunters to enjoy these sacred places. I love America and I am proud to be an American, however, like any great nation, we do have dark chapters in our history, one of which is our relations with the Indigenous Nations that once thrived here. Though there were many atrocities on both sides, I have always had deep respect for and curiosity about Indigenous American cultures. I feel that much has been lost that could have been gained if it had been possible for our cultures to coexist more successfully and learn from one another in mutual respect.
In an effort to bridge gaps between myself and these communities and cultures I sought to have conversations with and perhaps even share a hunt with a person of an Indigenous American Nation. When I came across Thosh Collins, I knew I had met the perfect man to learn from, hunt with, and hopefully befriend. Though this particular quest was a personal one, I hoped that it might serve as a model for other hunters to build bridges and perhaps create healing between our cultures. So, after a very constructive podcast together (episode 173 of The Hunter’s Quest Podcast) in 2024 I grabbed two New Mexico Antelope tags and invited Thosh Collins to spend a few days with me on the plains, chasing speed goats, sharing our cultural and spiritual practices surrounding a hunt and hopefully forging a meaningful friendship.
The first day was spent scouting and we identified several shooter bucks quickly. We were excited about the prospects and used the mid-day hours to check our rifles. In the evening, we glassed, finding more bucks. The next day, we started our morning by each sharing our version of a “Hunter’s Payer” before beginning the hunt and we were pleasantly surprised by the similarities in our practices. Not long after this, I heard a loud buzzing and felt Thosh pulling me back from where I stood. I looked down to see a Rattlesnake, fully recoiled, inches from where my foot had just been for several minutes. To me this was a good omen, God had protected me, I should have been struck (you can see the whole thing in slow motion in the episode on my YouTube channel now.)
After the encounter with snake, we were off in search of Thosh’s first Antelope. It wasn’t long before we had identified a nice group. We had some difficulty getting into range due to the flatness of the terrain and lack of cover. Employing all of our collective skills we were able to get into range and Thosh made a good shot on a nice buck. Before we cleaned the animal, Thosh shared with us his spiritual song, intended to help the spirit of the Antelope move into the spirit world.
That afternoon I was able to put my tag on a nice buck as well and I shared with Thosh my prayer of Thanksgiving over the land, the animal and the meat it would provide. That night we made Antelope heart tacos and enjoyed some fellowship.
It was a quick hunt but it was successful in more ways than one. We both came home with meat for our families and we created lasting bonds of friendship and deeper understanding. It was a truly unique experience that I will never forget.
You can watch this whole hunt as it went down on my YouTube channel now and I think you’ll really enjoy it. It is an exciting hunt, but it’s more than just a hunt, it is a unique look at how we can all learn from one another and make new friends despite different backgrounds and cultures. Hunting brings people together and it can even change your life if you let it. I am thankful to God for this opportunity and for my new friend.
Essential Gear:
Tahr Merino Hooded ½ zip LS
Alpha Grizzly Insulation Jacket
Alpine Light Pants
Summit Merino Socks – Mid Length
Watch film here - https://youtu.be/UxSBv-zeYb8?si=AxTESrvahIJDB9VO